Good Samaritans apprehend necklace thief at Belmont Shore Starbucks

Two good Samaritans at a Belmont Shore Starbucks chased down and apprehended a teenager suspected of snatching a woman's necklace Tuesday, holding the suspect until police arrived, authorities and witnesses said.

A teenager suspected of snatching a woman's necklace near a Belmont Shore Starbucks was apprehended by good Samaritans who held the suspect until police arrived, authorities and witnesses said Tuesday.

Long Beach Police Sgt. Aaron Eaton said the victim, a 62-year-old woman, was walking in the 5200 block of E. Second Street at about 12:51 p.m. when a 16-year-old boy pushed her from behind. The two stumbled for several feet before the teen snatched her necklace and ran off, he said.

The victim had minor injuries, Eaton said.

Starbucks employee Darlene Smiley, who witnessed the event, said the woman was walking into the store when the incident occurred.

"She was walking with a cane and suddenly this young man came up and pushed her and yanked her necklace," Smiley said. "She screamed and he took off running across the street."

Smiley said two men in the store saw the crime and immediately chased the thief across the street.

"They held him down until the cops came and then the one man came back into the store and just picked up his cup of coffee like nothing had happened," she said.

"He was acting like this hero stuff was no big deal, but I was like, 'Can I at least buy you a cup of coffee?'" she said, with a chuckle. "It's heartwarming to see that there are true people who would risk their lives for someone."

Smiley said the woman suffered a minor scrape on her chin, but she got her necklace back.

Police didn't provide any information about possible charges against the teenager.

Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to call the LBPD's Youth Services Section at 562-570-1425 or to remain anonymous visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.